The 85-year-old comedian was rushed to a nearby hospital just minutes before he was scheduled to appear on stage.

Lewis, who arrived in Australia Monday and performed at a gala dinner in Brisbane Wednesday night, is on tour representing the Muscular Dystrophy Foundation of Australia. He is chairman of the U.S. chapter.

"In unforeseen circumstances Jerry was not well enough to take the stage,” MDA CEO David Jack said in a statement aplogizing to ticket holders.

Struggles with a debilitating back condition, heart issues and pulmonary fibrosis prompted Lewis to announce his retirement last month as the regular host of the MDA’s Labor Day telethon.